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The Pretty City Girl | Indian Travel & Lifestyle Blog

surviving Indian railways

Travelling on Indian Railways is an experience you must not miss. Being the fourth largest railway network in the world and being such an integral part of India, you must take a long distance train journey to get the very essence of the country. But, being a foreigner in India or someone who has never travelled on it (or are travelling solo for the first time), you must wonder how to survive Indian Railways. Let me tell you, I've always preferred the railways over the airways because they're cheap plus always bustling with people. Indian buses and flights do have people around you but the fun of travelling on an Indian train is different. 

No matter where you go, you'll always have worries of commuting locally. So whether it is taking a domestic flight, an interstate bus or a train. But being someone who has travelled so extensively within India via railways, I have just so many things to share and so many hacks/tips to pass on. 

Surviving Indian railways is not as tough as it seems. The basics are arriving an hour before the scheduled departure, always keeping an ear on the announcements (even though your platform number is announced, sometimes there's a possibility of switching platforms during the last 10 minutes or so) and carrying long distance train train travel essentials like a hand sanitiser and tissue papers. What are other tips? Read further.

SOLO GIRLS' GUIDE FOR SURVIVING INDIAN RAILWAYS

I'm an Indian solo traveller and I've been to many places around the country using a train. I've been to 19 Indian states/union territories in total and can say from experience what it is like travelling in the country using the railway network. 

YOUR SAFETY

First things first. All right, you'll be able to get on board, find tickets and your seat, you'll successfully get through the journey but what about your safety? If I were travelling solo in some other country, I would certainly think of this. 

How safe is it for a single woman to travel on train in India? The answer is, it's very safe. In fact, the trains are so occupied most of the times that you'll have a family or women around you making you feel protected and safe. And even if there is no family or women around you, nothing wrong will happen. The only major worrisome part would be visiting the loo during the late hours when everyone is asleep and the lights are switched off and I'll cover that point later in this article. 

But don't worry, Indian railways are safe for solo women. 

SAFETY OF YOUR BELONGINGS

Another question you might have is the safety of your belongings. I own a MacBook, an iPhone and an expensive camera. I still manage to take toilet breaks and sleep without getting my stuff stolen. So how do I do it? 

Okay, here's revealing my ultimate 'surviving Indian Railways' hack. Choosing the upper berth helps a lot to keep your belongings safe as you can shove everything in one corner. I often use my backpack (which has all my important documents and gadgets) as a pillow. 

And for your main luggage, carry a chain and a lock. Slip your heavy luggage under the lower berth and chain it for a fuss-free travel. A lot of Indians (including me) do that and have been doing it for generations now. 

TAKING TOILET BREAKS

Taking toilet breaks often seem like a ninja mission. You quickly visit the loo under tough circumstances and check for people around you and rush back to your berth. My tip for taking toilet breaks is to firstly shove your belongings in one corner of the bed, throwing your blanket/hoodie/pillow over it and making it tough for anyone to spot your backpack. This is what I always do. I hide my backpack behind the blanket, hoodie and my pillow so that I believe it is difficult for the thief to steal anything.

However, I always recommend carrying your phone, passport/identification and money in a small sling bag while visiting the loo because you can no way afford to lose that, especially when you're on a vacation.

Apart from the safety of your belongings when you visit the loo, your safety during the night-time is important too. I typically go the washroom when the train is semi-lit. Usually people sleep early on train travel so they gradually start shutting the lights by 8:45 pm. I typically go to the washroom around 10:00 pm because although the lights are off, nobody  is in a deep sleep at that time so you just feel safe that way.

And in case it is late and you really want to pee/poo, then the best way is to stay alert and proactive. I've never carried any Swiss knife or a pepper spray, but if you want, you can carry them. 

surviving Indian railways

Liking the Solo Girl's Ultimate Guide for Surviving Indian Railways? PIN IT!

TRAIN ESSENTIALS

Train essentials can differ from person to person but if you ask me, I'd say:

1. Hand sanitiser
2. Snacks
3. Tissues
4. Identity card
5. Napkin
6. Paper soap/hand wash
7. Hoodie (in winters or if your bogie is air-conditioned)
8. Long charging cable

I have shared my long distance train travel essentials on the blog earlier, so do check it out for an extensive list.

WHICH SEATS SHOULD YOU PICK?

I suggest go for the upper berth. Not only the safety of your belongings is assured but also, you get your personal space. I always choose an upper berth so that I relax peacefully as most passengers prefer sitting during the day time and hop on their upper berths only for their afternoon nap and night's sleep. 

Upper berth, on the contrary, also means not getting the window seat. So if you want to look outside the window, then go for lower berth.  

TICKETING + TICKET COLLECTOR

You can book tickets via Indian Railways official website. Train booking is easy, only that registering there is a pain. But you can always get in touch with tour operators and book via them. 

For a smooth experience while interacting with the Ticket Collector, keep your ticket and your identification ready. Psst! People call them "TC" so if you hear anyone whisper those initials, know that the ticket collector is around. 

RAILWAY FOOD

The Railway food. What do I say! I end up eating it anyway. The hack here is to carry your own snacks, fruits, sandwiches or rolls. However, I do recommend the tea and coffee. The taste is not the world's best, and in fact, it is watery, but you cannot miss it. When in India, you drink tea twice, once with your breakfast and once with your hi-tea. 

Do you know? You can order food from selected food chains such as Dominos Pizza directly to your berth? You can do it via the IRCTC app. 

ADDITIONAL TIPS

1. Befriend the family next to you. Smile at them, play with the kids, talk to the elders. 
2. Wear a pair of flip-flops because it's easier for you to take them on and off. 
3. Wet wipes are must, especially after loo breaks or to wipe your face.
4. Carry socks. Air-conditioned trains can get chilly at nights. 
5. Arrive an hour before the scheduled departure
6. Keep a check on the announcements while waiting at the platform
7. Track your train by putting the PNR number or train number. There are several mobile apps for that
8. Alternatively, check your location using maps
9. For any immediate assistance while on the platform, go to the station master, ticket counter, cloak room or ask any railway employee. Or simply, my favourite, ask the vendors selling tea and snacks at railway stalls. Coolies are a good option too. 

Surviving Indian Railways is not difficult. It's about being proactive and asking help whenever needed. Indians are so excited to help, and if you're a foreigner, then more number of people would be delighted to help you. Just one last tip: Always take help from families, women, urban people in case you don't know whom to run to. 

If you liked this article, please don't forget to leave a comment below! Would mean a lot to me. 
August 20, 2020 2 comments

8 effortless ways to always look stylish

The fashion industry, the advertisements, the social media continually tell us to buy statement pieces to look stylish. They compel you to think that wearing a crop-top with narrow sunglasses will make you a badass diva. They tell you to grab latest of trends and shove discounted fashion items on your face and make you believe that buying more will lead you to look fashionable and accepted by the popular community. 

But tell you what? That's not always the truth. You can still look chic by wearing whatever you have in the wardrobe. All you need to make are a few amendments to your outfits to always look stylish. 

1. Rolling up sleeves

It's my go-to hack. Rolling up your full sleeves (so whether it is a blazer or a jumper) looks put together and effortlessly stylish. If your sleeves slip down even if you roll them up, then try wearing a rubber band on your forearm and then simply tuck in your sleeve and roll it up. 

2. Adding a piece of jewellery

I'm not a huge fan of jewellery. Rather, I'm always sans jewellery. I hate to have the tingly feeling of accessories on my body –– so whether it is a pair of a long earrings or a bracelet or even rings. Just thinking of wearing any jewellery drives me nuts. 

However, that does not mean I don't wear any. There are times when I really need to lift my look and no matter what I do, it doesn't work out. Either it looks too loud or underdressed. During such times, I prefer wearing a simple outfit and pair a piece of jewellery to add some edge. 

3. Spraying dry shampoo

Good hair days = good days in general. And this is true for most of us. Having oily hair can really break your look. And if you're running late or sick and can't wash your hair, then the best idea would be spraying some dry shampoo to ease your oily tresses. A dry shampoo not only absorbs the grease but even manages to give a fuller volume to your hair. Looks like a great deal to me! 

TPCG picks: Batiste Dry Shampoo, preferably in original fragrance. 


4. Adding a pop of colour

I'm such an add-a-pop-of-colour person. I like to go with neutral colours and then add a vibrant accessory such as a red sling bag, a fuchsia pink lipstick, a fluorescent green top, a pair of mustard flats and so on. Unless that's your personal style, but I prefer a pop of vibrant colour on a neutral outfit. I don't like pairing a vibrant colour on a vibrant colour unless I'm in Goa and really planning to go hippie. 

TPCG recommendations: I believe a red solid sling bag like Diana Korr's would go really well on a white shirt and a pair of faded mom jeans. 

5. Tucking it in

If you ask me to describe my personal style, I would certainly describe it as: a t-shirt 'tucked in' my ripped jeans. Because I love tucking in my tops. It's partly due to my body shape. I hate tops that go beyond my bum as they show an incorrect image of my body. Which is why I prefer either folding the end of my tops until my bum or just tuck them in my bottoms. But regardless of my body type, I strongly believe that tucking in a top makes your outfit look twice better. 

6. Adding a cap (or a hat)

Adding a hat mind sound too much for someone whose personal style is simple, and unless you're by the beachside, you cannot pull a hat. I get it. For me, wearing a hat is just too extra and something that I can't pull off––or wouldn't wish to pull off. So my next best option––something that helps me hide my bad hair days, is a cap. Oh my gosh, I love caps. I don't mind wearing them even on a plain kurta. Caps define me, I define caps. 

TPCG suggests: Go for caps that have a harder crown. Flat caps are a big no-no. They make you look like you have a flat head! I even recommend bending the brim of your cap to bring the oomph. 

7. Changing your everyday look

Do you always wear makeup? Try to go really basic someday (how about just an eyeliner and some mascara?). If you're always without makeup, try to wear some. I would suggest red lipstick as it truly puts together an outfit. Is your personal style feminine? Go for something bold for a change, and vice versa. You can even mix and match two styles. For example, wearing a lacy/floral top and pairing it with some sports shoes.

8. Lastly, painting your nails

I mean, you tried everything and it's still not working out? Paint your nails and at least you'll have beautiful fingers to look at! Jokes aside but I always adore those women who have neatly painted nails. Pastel shades make you look like a smart, sophisticated, warm, and a woman-who-knows-her-shit of a person.

What is your go-to hack for a stylish look? Comment below!
August 19, 2020 No comments

We all have wishlists and rather, these are what keep us going. Ever since I landed into a full-time job, I started taking my wardrobe and my personal style quite seriously. Apart from keeping away some portion of my salary as savings and giving another part of it to the family, I vouched to spend the remainder on myself. 

After almost five years of fast shopping and street-side picks, this time around, my wardrobe was almost weeping to carry these low-quality clothes. It begged for an upgrade. It begged me to be conscious about what I shopped. It asked me to stop going for cheap quality clothing items shipped from China. It asked me to invest and buy intentionally.

I'm on this journey since a couple of months where I'm shopping quality pieces that would last long. I've already shopped a lot over the course of my new job. And the hunt for new clothes, new shoes, new upgrade doesn't seem to end. So to stop my urge of buying something that is not my type per se, I started making wishlists for real. A pen-on-paper wishlist. 

WHY A WISHLIST? 

Wishlists avoid the urge of buying something you don't necessarily need. It helps you refrain from such incidences when you stay in a tropical climate and yet buy a cashmere blazer because it was adorable and on sale.

Making a wishlist avoids superfluous splurges. It gives you a guideline to shop. This also means, you don't spend a fortune on a cashmere blazer you're never going to wear. Making a wishlist makes you a conscious buyer. You're fully aware of the things you need and you are willing to stick to that personal handbook of yours while shopping. 

Wishlists also mean you have to be strict and true to your needs. If you're looking for a mustard pair of flats, only go for mustard or shades between yellow and orange. And when you mean flats, do not browse through heels. Stick to mustard flats. Otherwise, what's the point of making a wishlist?

QUARTERLY WISHLIST

I'm starting a new series on my blog wherein I would share my quarterly wishlist. A quarterly wishlist simply means making a list of items you want to buy over a course of three months. I'm picking August, September, and October for today's post. 

Not just this, I'll share a monthly update on what's going on with this list and how many pieces I've purchased out of it. A quarterly wishlist lets you plan ahead, save, and shop consciously keeping in mind your budget, needs, and desires. 

Want to make this wishlist yours? Pin it!


The Casual Chic Wishlist for the months of August, September, and October includes a lot of neutrals. That's because, to build a powerful wardrobe, you need premium quality basics. You need the basic camisoles, the solid tees, the linen and cotton pieces and so on. 

Therefore I thought, to start with this project, I must have basic pieces in my wardrobe. Here's what I think I need to have for the next three months to begin this project:


THE CASUAL CHIC WISHLIST

BOTTOMWEAR

  • Mom jeans
  • Culottes (preferably light shades such as grey)
  • Olive green utility pants
  • Paperbag trousers (faded olive green, cream, grey, baby pink)
  • Linen trousers
  • Cigarette pants (preferably in a grey checkered print)

DRESSES

  • Black maxi dress (with a slide slit)
  • White cotton dress (mid-length with brown buttons)

TOPS

  • Dark grey well-fitted t-shirt
  • Black strappy top
  • White strappy top
  • Grey camisole (for cosier and more comfortable style)

ACCESSORIES

  • Nike cap (or any cap with the brand logo; preferably in black, white or grey)
  • Mustard flats (a pair in which I can walk for hours comfortably)
  • Black flats (same description as above + should be really beautiful/special)
  • White cotton or canvas shoes 
  • A neutral coloured sling bag (preferably grey, cream or a faded light blue)

I'm so pumped up to work on this project. Feel free to pin my wishlist and use it for your shopping guide if you may. Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you get on this journey of conscious buying soon.
August 16, 2020 No comments
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I'm Rutuja, a travel & lifestyle writer and youtuber. I make videos and love to explore the unexplored. Welcome to my blog! Read more about me.

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